Pressure sealing and excessive pressure relieving closure cap for containers



April 30, l957 F. A. HoDGl-:s AL 2,790,570

PRESSURE SEALING AND ExcE vE PRESSURE RELIEVING CLOSURE CAP FOR CONTAIENERS Filed July 29. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 "5mm A n EZ INVENTORS April 30, 1957 A. HoDGEs ET AL 2,790,570

PRESSURE-SALING AND EXCESSIVE PRESSUREy RELIEVING CLOSURE CAP FOR CONTAINERS Filed July 29. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTORJ PRESSURE SEALING AND EXCESSIVE PRESSURE RELEVING CLUSURE CAP FOR CONTAINERS Fridolin A. Hodges and James W. Waber, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 29, 1954, Serial No. 446,494

11 Claims. (Cl. 21S-56) This invention relates to closure caps for the mouths of containers and more particularly to closure caps for bottles, cans and the like containing carbonated and other beverages under pressure.

Carbonated beverages and the like are sealed under pressure in containers, such as bottles, cans and the like, for distribution and numerous instances have arisen where persons have been hurt by accidental explosions of such containers, such explosions being caused by the building up of excessive positive pressures with-in the containers. Numerous attempts have been made in the past to vent automatically excessive positive pressure from within the containers such as by providing the closure caps with frangible disks which rupture upon excessive positive pressure or by weakening or mutilating the sealing gaskets to allow the escape of excessive positive pressure between the container and the sealing gaskets. These attempts have been generally unsuccessful because they are not reliable and foolproof in operation and they do not reseal the container when the excessive positive pressure is relieved with the result that the positive pressures in the containers are reduced to atmospheric pressure, thus destroying the contents of the containers. They have also been complicated or tricky in construction and have not been generally useable in standard bottle capping machines.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap for such containers having positive above atmospheric pressures therein wherein the 'aforementioned deicienciesare eliminated or minimized,

wherein foolproof and reliable operation is obtained upon the occurrence of excessive positive pressure conditions, wherein the containers are resealed after escapev of the excessive positive pressures to prevent total loss of positive pressure, wherein standard bottle capping machines may be utilized in applying the closure caps of this invention to the containers, and wherein the closure caps are simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and handle. i

Briefly, the positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap of this invention includes a metallic cap having a -depending ilange provided with means, such as utes, for securing the cap about the mouth of the container. An annular compressible gasket, located in the cap, is secured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the mouth of the container. The .metallic cap includes two engaging metallic parts with one of `said metallic parts extending inwardly through the central opening in the sealing gasket, its inner side beingexposed to the positive pressure within the Ycontainer and itsV outer side forming a central chamber between -it and the other metallic part. The inwardly extending metallic part has a central opening therethrough for establishing communication between the interior of the container and the central chamber and it is also provided with an annular valve seat in the central chamber aboutgthe central open? ing. A valve is interposed between the metallic parts United States Patent() 2,790,5? Patented Apr. 30, 1957 f. 1 CLG vclosure cap to vent any pressures therein to atmosphere.

The positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap of this invention may take various forms which differ mainly in the construction and location of the two metallic parts, the construction of the annular valvek seat, the construction of the valve and the manner of venting the central chamber. Regardless of these differences in construction, the various forms of the closure cap operate in substantially the same way for producing substantially the same results. Y

Further objects of this invention reside in the details of construction of the pressure sealing and excessive pressure relieving closure cap for containers and in the cooperative relationships between the component parts thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specication, claims and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through one form of the positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the closure cap of Fig. 1 with the outer metallic part removed;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective View of the inner metallic part and valve of the closure cap of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through another form of the closure cap of this invention;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the inner metallic part and the valve of the form of closure cap illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through another form of the closure cap of this invention;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view ythrough a further form of a closure cap of this invention; y

Flg. 8 is a horizontal sectional view through the closure cap of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view through still another form of the closure cap of this invention;

Fig. l() is a top plan View of a portion of the closure cap illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an exploded sectional view of the parts forming the closure cap of Fig. 9;

Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are vertical sectional views through further forms of the closure cap of this invention.

Referring trst to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, one form of the positivelpressure sealing and'excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap for containers having a positive above atmospheric pressure therein is generally designated at 1t). 1t is shown as being applied to a container, such as a bottle 11 having a beaded mouth 12. Carbonated and other beverages under positive pressure are contained in the container 11 and are sealed by the closure cap 10. The closure cap 10 includes an outer metallic part 13 in the form of `a crown cap having a depending fluted flange 14 for securing the cap to the beaded mouth 12j of the container 11. The securing of the cap to the mouth of A the container may be accomplished in conventional manner by conventional bottle capping machines.

An annular compressible gasket 15, such as a conventional cork gasket, is located in the cap and is secured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the mouth 12 of the container 11. The closure cap also includes an inner metalvalve seat 50. While the construction of the metallic parts 46 and 51 is somewhat differentlfrom the construction of the metallic parts 13 and 16 described above, the manner of operation of the closure cap 45 is-the same as that described above in connection with the closure caps 10, 25, 30 and 38. Here also a vent hole may be pro'- vided in the metallic cup 51 for venting the central chamber to atmosphere in lieu of the venting grooves 53. For commercial reasons, however, the venting grooves 53 are preferable.

The closure cap generally designated at 68 in Fig. 12 is the same as the closure cap 45 of Figs. 9, 10 and 1l with the exception that a relatively wide annular valve seat 61 is utilized in lieu of the relatively thin annular valve seat 50 of Fig. 9. Here the relatively wide annular valve 61 may be formed by bending the sheet metal radially inwardly as well as bending it outwardly. The valve seat arrangement, therefore, corresponds to the valve seat arrangement illustrated in Fig. 6.

The closure cap generally designated atv 63 in Fig.' 13 is very much like the closure cap 45 illustrated in Fig; 9 and like reference characters have been utilizedV for like parts. The closure cap 63 differs from the closure cap 45 inthe construction ofthe valve seat and thevalve. Here the inwardly extending portion 48 of the inner metallic part or cap 46 is provided with an inwardly extending frusto conical portion 64 terminating in the central opening 49. The valve located in the central chamber comprises a valve plug 65 formed of'resilient deformable material such as rubber or the like; The valve plug 65 is formed with a conical portion 66 which has a greater cone angle than the cone angle of the frusto-conical projection 64. The valve plug 65 is arranged under compression in the central chamber 65 and resiliently'presses against the frusto-conical valve seat 64. In so doing, the greatest pressure is exerted at the wider portion of the valve plug and this pressure decreases gradually inwardly. The conical surfaces 66 and 64, therefore, seal the interior of the container 11 from the central chamber against normal positive pressures existing within the container. When, however, the positive pressure in the container becomes excessive the conical portion 66 of the valve plug 65 is progressively moved away from the frusto-conical seat 64 to relieve excessive positive pressure in the container into the central chamber where the excessive positive pressure escapes through the vent passages 63. This valve arrangement including the diverging conical surfaces affords a very ei'lective seal which is positive in its excessive positive pressure relieving operation. When the excessive positive pressure in the container is reduced to its normal value, the valve plug reseats itself against the truste-conical valve seat 64 to prevent further loss of positive pressure in the container.

The closure cap generally designated at 68 in Fig'. 14 is very much like the closure caps 45 and 63, it diifering therefrom in the construction of the valve seat and valve. Here the inwardly extending portion 48 of the inner metallic part or cap 46 is provided with a flat annular valve seat 69. The valve within the central chamber includes a valve member 7ll which is provided with an annular groove 71 which receives a resilient O-ring 72 formed of rubber or the like. The O-ring 72 is resiliently urged against the annular valve seat 69 by a compression spring 73 interposed between the valve member 70 and the outer metallic part or cup 51. The resilient O-ring 72 seating against the annular lat valve seat 69 forms an eiective seal for sealing the container but yet permitting escape of excessive positive pressures from the container. The manner of operation of the closure cap 68 is vthel same as that described above in connection with the other closure caps.

The closure cap generally designated at 75 in Fig. 15 is very much like the closure caps illustrated in Figs. 1,

4, 6 and 7, it utilizing substantially the same inner and outer metallic parts 16 and 13. Here, however, a diierent form of valve-seat and valve is'utilized. Here the inwardly 'extending portion 17 of the inner metallic part 16 is provided with a frusto-conical projection -76' forming a frusto-conical annular valve seat. The valve within the central chamberincludes a valve member 77- having a truste-conical surface provided with a groove 78 in which is located aresilient O-ring 79 formed of rubber or the like. The 0-ring 79 is resiliently urged against the frustoconical annular valve'seat 76 byV a star shaped'leaf spring 80 interposed between the valve member 77 and the outer metallic part or cap 13. The 0ring 79 seating against the truste-conical annular valve seat 76 forms a very good seal for sealing the positive pressures within the container 11 and'it is very positive in its positive pressure relieving action when excessive positive pressures occur in the container. Here also, when the excessive positive pressures in the container are relieved, the O-ring 79 positively seats against the frusto-conical annular valve seat 76 to reseal the container and prevent-further decrease in the positive pressure inthe container.

The closure cap generally designated at 83in Fig. 16 -is very much like the closure caps illustrated in Figs. 9, 12, 13 and' 14, this closure cap also utilizing the inner and outer metallic parts 46 and 51; Here the valve seat and valve arrangement is very much like that illustrated in Fig. l5. ln this connection the inwardly extending portion 48 of the inner metallic part or cap 46 is providedy with `a frusta-conical annular valve seat 84. The val-ve within the' central chamber includes a valve member 85 havingl a frusto-conioal surface provided with a groove 86 ,which receives a resilient O-ring 87 formed from rubber or the like. The resilient O-ring 87 is urged against the -frusto-conical annular valve seat 84 by a compression spring 88 interposed between the valve member 85 and the 'outer metallic part or cup 51. The manner of operation of the closure cap 83 is the same as that described above in connection with thev closure cap 75 andthe other closure caps.

While for purposes of illustration several forms of this invention have been disclosed, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon refer-ence t0 this disclosure and, therefore, this invention -is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We `claim as our invention:

l. A positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap for the mouth of a container having a positive labove atmospheric pressure therein comprising a metallic cap having a depending flange provided with means forsecuring the cap about the mouth of the container, an vannular compressible gasket in the cap and secured by the cap in gals sea-ling position upon the mouth of vthe container, said metallic cap including two engaging metallic parts with one of said metallic parts extending inwardly Ithrough the central opening in the sealing gasket and exposed on its inner side to the positive pressure within the container and forming a central chamber between its outer side and the other metallic part, said inward-ly extending part having a central opening therethrough for establishing communication between the interior of the container and the central chamber and provided with an annular valve seat in the central chamber about the central opening, a resilient and deformable val-ve plug interposed under compression between the metallic parts in the central chamber and pressed with suicient force yby its resiliency against the annular valve seat for normally sealing the central chamber from the .interior of the container against normal positive pressure therein but movable away from the valve seat upon the occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the container to relieve said excessive positive pressure into the central chamber, and means forming a vent passage for communicating the central chamber with the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressures therein to atmosphere.

2. A positive pressure sealing and excessive positive -,7 pressure relieving closure cap for the mouth of a container having a positive above atmospheric pressure therein` comprisingV a metallic cap having a depending flange provided with means for securing -thecap about the mouth yof the container, an annular compressible gasket in the cap and secured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the mouth of the container, said metallic cap including twoengagingr metallic parts with one of said metallic parts extending inwardly through the centralopening in the sealin-g gasket and exposed on its innerside to the positive pressure within the container and formi-ng a central chamber between its outer side and the other metallic part, said inwardly extending part having a central opening therethrough for establishing communication between the 'interior' of the container and the central chamber and provided with an annular valve seat in the central chamber about the central opening, a resilient and deformable valveY plug interposed under compression between the metall-ic parts in the central chamber and pressed with suicient force by its resiliency against the annular valve seat for normally sealing the central chamber from the interior of the container against normal positive pressure therein but movable away from the valve seat upon the 'occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the container to relieve said excessive positive pressure into the central chamber, means forming passages between the inwardly extending part and the sides of the valve plug to assure escape of said excessive positive pressure into the central chamber, and means forming a vent passage for communieating the central chamber with the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressures therein to atmosphere.

3. A positive pressure seal-ing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap for the mouth of a container having a positive above atmospheric pressure therein comprising a metallic cap having a depending flange provided with means for securing the cap .about the mouth of the container, an lannular compressible gasket in the cap and secured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the mouth of the container, said metallic cap including two engaging metall-ic parts with one of said metallic parts extending invwardly through the central opening iu the sealing gasket and exposed on its inner side to the positive pressure within the container and forming a central chamber between i-ts outer side and the other metallic part, said inwardly extending part having an inwardly extending frusto-conical portion terminating in a central opening, the central opening establishing communication between the interior of the container and the central chamber and the VVtruste-conical portion forming an annular tapered valve seat in the central chamber about the central opening, a valve interposed between the ymetallic parts in the central chamber and resiliently pressed with sufhcient force against :the annular 'valve sea-t for normally sealing the central chamber 'from the interior of the container aga-inst normal positive pressure therein but movable away from the valve seat upon the occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the container to relieve said excessive positive pressure into the central chamber, and means form-ing a vent passage for communicating the central chamber with the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressures thereinto atmosphere.

4. A positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap for the mouth of a container having a positive above atmospheric pressure therein comprising a metallic cap having a depending flange provided with means for securing the cap about the mouth of the container, an annular-compressible gasket in the cap and secured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the mouth of the container, said metallic cap including two engaging metallic parts with one of said metallic parts extending inwardly through the central opening in the sealing gasket and exposed on its inner side to the positive pressure within the container and forming a central chamber between its outer side and the other metallic part, said inwardly extending part having an inwardly extending frusto-conical portion terminating in a central opening, the central opening establishing communication between the interior of the container and the central chamberV and the truste-conical portion forming an. annular tapered valve seat in the central chamber aboutthe central opening, a resilient and deformable valve plug interposed under compression between the metallic parts in the central chamber and having a conical valve portion of greater coneA angle than that of the annular frustoconical tapered valve seat which is pressed with suicient force by its resiliency against the tapered valve seat for normally sealing the central chamber from the interior of the container `against normal positive pressure therein but progressively moved away from the valve seat upon vthe occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the coutainer to 'relieve said excessive positive pressure into the central chamber, and means forming a vent passage for communicating the central chamber with the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressures therein to atmosphere.

5. A positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap for the mouth of a container having a positive'above atmospheric pressure therein comprising a metallic cap having a depending flange provided with means for securing the cap about the mouth of the-container, an annular compressible gasket in the cap and secured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the mouth ofthe container, said metallic cap including two engaging metallic parts with one of said metallic parts extending inwardly through the central opening in the sealing gasket and exposed on its inner side to the positive pressure within the container and forming a central chamber between its outer side and the other metallic part, said inwardly extending part having an inwardly extending frusto-conical portion terminating in a central opening, the central opening establishing communication between the interior of the container and the central chamber and the truste-conical portion forming an annular tapered valve seat in the central chamber about the central opening, a valve member interposed between the metallic parts in the central chamber and having an inwardly facing frusto-conical tace provided with au annular groove, an O-ring carried in the annular groove, spring means interposed between the outer metallic part and the valve member for resiliently pressing with sufcient force the O-ring against the annular tapered valve seat for normally sealing the central chamber from the interior of the'container against normal positive pressure therein but movable away from the valve seat upon the occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the container to relieve-saidV excessive positive pressure into the central chamber, and means forming a vent passage for communicating the central chamber with the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressures therein to atmosphere.

6. A positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap for the mouth of a container having a positive above atmospheric pressure therein comprising a metallic cap having a depending ange provided with means for securing the cap about the mouth of the container, an annular compressible gasket in the cap andrsecured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the mouth of the container, said metallic cap including two engaging metallic parts with one of said metallic parts extending inwardly through the central opening in the sealing gasket and exposedon its inner side to the positive pressure within the container and forming a central chamber between its outer side and the other metallic part, said inwardly extending part having a central openbetween the metallic parts in the central chamber and provided'with an annular groove in its inner face, an CV-ring carried in the annular groove, spring means in'- ing the centralchamber from the interior of the container against normal positive pressure therein but movable away from the valve seat upon the occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the container to relieve said excessive positive pressure into the central chamber, and means forming a vent passage for communicating the central chamber with the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressures therein to atmosphere.

7. A positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap for the mouth of a container having a positive above atmospheric pressure therein comprising a metallic cap having a depending ilange provided with means for securing the cap about the mouth of the container, an annular compressible gasket in the cap and secured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the mouth of the container, said metallic cap including two engaging sheet metal parts with one of said sheet metal parts extending inwardly through the central opening in the sealing gasket and exposed on its inner side to the positive pressure within the container and forming a central chamber between its outer side and the other metallic part, said inwardly extending sheet metal part having a central opening therethrough for establishing communication between the interior of the container and the central chamber and being formed outwardly adjacent the opening to provide an outwardly projecting annular valve seat in the central chamber about the central opening, a resilient and deformable valve plug interposed under compression between the metallic parts in the central chamber and pressed with suiicient force by its resiliency against the annular valve seat for normally sealing the central chamber from the interior of the container against normal positive pressure therein but movable away from the valve seat upon the occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the container to relieve said excessive positive pressure into the central chamber, and means forming a vent passage for communicating the central chamber with the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressures therein to atmosphere.

8. A positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving closure cap for the mouth of a container having a positive above atmospheric pressure therein comprising a metallic cap having a depending ange provided with means for securing the cap -about the mouth of the container, an annular compressible gasket in the cap and secured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the mouth of the container, said metallic cap including two engaging sheet metal parts with one ot said sheet metal parts extending inwardly through the central opening in the sealing gasket and exposed on its inner side to the positive pressure within the container and forming a centra-l chamber between its outer side and the other metallic part, said inwardly extending sheet metal part having a central opening therethrough for establishing communication between the interior of the container and the central chamber `and being formed outwardly adjacent the opening to present an outwardly projecting annular edge of the sheet metal part for providing an outwardly projecting thin annular valve seat in the central chamber about the central opening, a resilient and deformable valve plug interposed under compression between the metallic parts in the central chamber and pressed with sucient force by its resiliency against the annular valve seat for normally sealing the central chamber from the interior of the container against normal positive pressure therein but movable away from the valve seat upon the occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the container to relieve said excessive positive pressure into the central chamber and means forming a vent passage for communicating the central chamber with the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressures therein to atmosphere.

9; A-positive pressure sealing and excessive positive vpressure relieving closure cap `for the mouth of a con'- -tainer having a positive above atmospheric pressure thereiny comprisinfT a metallic cap having a depending flange provided` with means for securing the cap about the 'mouth of the container, an annular compressible gasleet in the cap and secured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the mouth of the container, 'a metallic insert interposed between the metallic cap and the sealing gasket and extending inwardly through the central opening in the scaling gasket and exposed on its inner side to the positive pressure within the container and forming a central chamber between its outer side and the met-allie cap, said metallic insert having a central opening `therethrough yfor establishing communication between the interior of the container and the central chamber and provided with an annular valve seat in the central chamber about the central opening, a Valve interposed between the metallic cap and insert in the central chamber and resiliently pressed with sufficient force against the annular valve seat for normally sealing the central chamber :from the interior of the container against normal positive pressure therein lbut movable away Ifrom the valve seat upon the occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the container to relieve said excessive positive pressure into the central chamber, and said metallic insert where it contacts said metallic cap being provided with a groove lfor forming a vent passage for communicating the central chamber with the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressures therein to atmosphere.

l0. A positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving crown cap `for the beaded mouth of a container having a positive above atmospheric pressure therein comprising `a metallic cap having a depending iiuted ange for securing the cap about the beaded mouth of the container, an annular compressible gasket in the cap and secured by the cap in gas sealing position upon the beaded mouth of the container, a metallic insert interposed between the metallic cap and the sealing gasket and extending inwardly through the central opening in the sealing gasket and exposed on its inner side to the positive pressure within the container and forming a central chamber between its outer side and the metallic cap, said metallic insert having a central opening therethrough for establishing communication be- -tween the interior of the .container and the central chamber and provided with an annular valve seat in the central chamber about the central opening, a valve interposed between the metallic cap and insert in the central chamber and resiliently pressed with suicient force against the annular vmve seat for normally sealing the central chamber from the interior of the container against normal positive pressure therein but movable away from the valve seat upon the occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the container to relieve said excessive positive pressure into the central chamber, and said metallic insert where it contacts said metallic cap being provided with a groove lfor forming a passage between the metallic cap and insert extending from the central chamber to the fluted ilange of the cap for providing a vent passage communicating the central chamber through the iiuting of the fluted ange to the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressuresv therein to atmosphere.

1l. A positive pressure sealing and excessive positive pressure relieving crown cap for the beaded mouth of a container having a positive above atmospheric pressure therein comprising a metallic cap having a depending iiuted flange for receiving the cap labout the beaded mouth of the container, an annular compres- Y sible gasket in the cap and secured by the cap -in ygas sealing position upon the beaded mouth of the container, a metallic insert interposed between the metallic cap and the sealing gasket and extending inwardly through the central opening in the sealing gasket and exposed on its inner side to the positive pressure within the container and forming a central chamber between its outer side and the metallic cap, said metallic insert having a central opening therethrough for establishing communication between the interior of the container and the central chamber and provided with an annular valve seat in the central chamber about the central opening, a valve intenposed between the metallic cap and insert in the central chamber and resiliently pressed with suiiicient torce against the annular valve seat for normally sealing the central chamber from the interior of the container against normal positive pressure therein but movable away from the valve seat upon the occurrence of excessive positive pressure in the container to relieve said excessive positive pressure into the central charnber, a tab extending 'from the outer edge of the metallic insert between the uted ange of the metallic cap 4and 12 the edge of the sealing gasket, the outer faces of said metallic insert and tab where they contact the metallic cap being provided with a groove for providing a vent passage communicating the central chamber through the uting of the uted ange to the exterior of the closure cap to vent any pressures therein to atmosphere.

, References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 107,003 Clark et al. Sept. 6, 1870 1,920,068 Elian July 25, 1933 1,987,869 Reichenbach Ian. 15, 1935 2,198,366 Ingram Apr. 23, 1940 2,326,175 Samiran Aug. 10, 1943 2,356,327 Lebus Aug. 22, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 500,954 Great Britain Feb. 17, 1939 

